Clemency request for Canadian Ronald Smith on the table with Montana’s governor
DEER LODGE, Mont. — A petition asking the governor of Montana to spare the life of a Canadian on death row is being dusted off and given a fresh look this week.
Ronald Smith, who is originally from Red Deer, Alta., has been on death row since 1983 for fatally shooting Harvey Madman Jr. and Thomas Running Rabbit while he was high on LSD and alcohol near East Glacier, Mont.
The petition for clemency was given to former Gov. Brian Schweitzer four years ago but he chose not to deal with it before finishing his term in office.
His successor, Gov. Steve Bullock, has also not dealt with the thorny clemency issue. Now elected to his final term in office, Smith’s lawyers have officially requested Bullock take another look Smith’s case.